After my spice classes a couple of weeks ago, I've had lots of pots of spice mixtures to use in my foods. Each night I open their lids, take a smell and decide which I think will go best with what I am cooking.

I found a great combination - using Panch Phoron with a beans and rice dish. Panch Phoron is an indian spice mix, made from 5 different seeds (Phanch meaning 5, and phora meaning seeds). Here is the recipe:

The key ingredient is black cumin seeds which I absolutely love. I use them everyday.

The blend is used with the seeds whole and you traditionally heat the seeds first so they release their fragrance either in a dry pan or with a little oil, as the start of a dish. The mix is typically used with lentil dishes and to flavor vegetables and potatoes but I find it very versatile.

The spice mix gave a real zip of flavor, turning a bland dish into exciting flavors dancing on the tongue.

But the spices do more than just add flavor, they also have phytonutrients and volatile oils that have healing effects on the body.

Black cumin - Nigella Sativa - which isn't cumin - is known as a "cure-all". One of its key benefits is in strengthening the immune system. In one study, people having black cumin oil showed a 30% increase in natural killer cells. Studies also show potential for helping prevent and/or treat the following:

age related immune issues

allergies

asthma

cancer

colitis

dermatitis

eczema

high blood pressure

MS

Mustard seed is consider advantageous against cancer, as the mustard plant is a cruciferous vegetable, and also helps with heart disease and cholesterol problems.

Cumin seeds may be important for fighting diabetes, in fighting the formation of advance glycation end products, which play a role in diabetes complications.

Fennugreek again is associated with defeating diabetes. More than 100 studies show that fenugreek can balance daily blood sugar levels, lower A1c levels, increase the enzymes that help regulate blood sugar and activate insulin signaling in cells.

Fennel seed is helpful in calming cramps so useful with menstrual pain, and colic. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

All the more reason to make up some spice blends and use them every day. Try and think about adding at least one spice to every meal. Your taste buds will appreciate it, as will your health.